Review: Ahmad Jamal at Yoshi’s Oakland

Ahmad Jamal turned 80 in July. One could be forgiven, however, for assuming he’s 70. Or even 60.

He still looks great and his energy level is amazing. Then there’s his handiwork on the piano, which – in terms of most of the technical aspects, as well all of the artistic ones – surpasses what the majority of players one-quarter his age could dream of delivering onstage.

Indeed, Jamal proved to be an ageless wonder on Friday, the first of three nights at Yoshi’s at Jack London Square in Oakland. The jazz man – best known for the ‘50s hit “Poinciana” and his influence on Miles Davis’ music – proved worthy of the title “living legend,” though his set had less to do with nostalgia than it did with proving that he still has plenty to offer.

The Pittsburgh native’s focus was clearly on his two most-recent albums, 2008’s “It’s Magic” and this year’s “A Quiet Time.” That was fine with the near-capacity crowd, since Jamal and his terrific quartet – bassist James Cammack, drummer Herlin Riley and percussionist Manolo Badrena – were able to make newer songs (and arrangements) sound like classics.

Plus, it was undeniable treat to see Jamal – one of the planet’s most accomplished jazz artists – play in a 300-capacity club. The last time he came through Northern California, mind you, it was to perform before thousands as a headliner at the Monterey Jazz Festival.

Fueled by Riley and Badrena’s diversely appealing work – as well as by Jamal’s often quite percussive playing – the music was often frantically rhythmic and beat happy. That played well to Jamal’s strengths as a composer and a bandleader, resulting in epic crescendos, dramatic tempo changes and plenty of open space for the pianist to showcase his light touch.

Jamal – dressed in a brown jacket, matching pants and tinted glasses – opened the set with a reinvigorated Afro-Cuban arrangement of “Swahililand” that individually showcased each of the musicians. He followed with the title track to “A Quiet Time” and then “Dynamo,” the first of which conveyed a rainbow’s worth of colors, while the second was a much-more-concise tour-de-force that definitely lived up to its name.

The only misstep in the evening came with “Wild is the Wind,” when Badrena – so marvelous in all other occasions – added some breathy vocals that one assumes where meant to mimic the wind. How they came across, however, was something closer to what one might hear during an obscene phone call. Jamal would pair that track in concert – just like he did on the “It’s Magic” CD – with a lovely, straightforward rendition of the ballad “Sing.”

After an evening of new material, Jamal would leave the audience on a nostalgic note and play a faithful version of “Poinciana.” It was vastly appreciated by the crowd, but the fact that Jamal could’ve gotten away without performing his signature tune says volumes about the overall quality of this show.

Thanks for the great review, Jim!
I was at the early show Friday night, and would only add that James Cammack was terrific on bass.
I love how Ahmad encourages his sidemen to shine.
Long live Ahmad Jamal!

Nowadays, I’m planning to talk to you about an intriguing form of linen: white linen pants for men. Now I’m going to provide you with a brief, but fictional history of this fascinating type of cloth. From ages lengthy ago, white linen pants have already been the craze throughout the world. In Historic Rome, the emperor Nero would dance around his villa whilst carrying his white linen pants, rehearsing the lyrics to Michael Jackson’s “Beat it”.

We wished to stop in as well as supply you men the possibility to visit our website so that you can easily check into our awesome product. Our personnel and client support group happen to be astounding and we recognize that we are able to match your needs. Our strengths are a great deal higher than our competitors as well as desire to see you flourish by having us on your side. If there happens to be anything we can do, satisfy let us understand. 100 % client peace of mind happens to be our leading objective.